紧
jǐn
In Chinese, the word for tight is 紧 (jǐn).
The word 紧 (jǐn) is used to describe physical tightness, such as clothing that fits close to the body or a screw that has been tightened. It is important to distinguish this from other types of tightness: to describe being financially strapped, the formal term 拮据 is used and to describe a tight or narrow space, the formal term 狭窄 is used.
Meaning: fitting close, or too close, to the body (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 紧 refers to physical tightness, its antonym is 松 (sōng), which means loose.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, the term 窄 may be used to describe something that is tight or constricted.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something is 'too tight', use the grammatical pattern 太 (tài) + 紧 (jǐn) + 了 (le).
How do you pronounce it?
jǐn
Did you know?
- The term for an 'emergency' is 紧急 (jǐnjí), which literally embeds the concept of 'tightness' into the idea of a crisis. It suggests that an emergency is a situation where time or circumstances have become physically constricting.
- The opposite of 紧 is 松 (sōng), which describes both a loose piece of clothing and the act of mentally relaxing or loosening up emotionally.
- In Northern China, the phrase 紧巴 (jǐnba) is used to describe being frugal or having a tight budget.
Examples in context
- 这些鞋子太紧了，伤脚。These shoes are too tight. They hurt.This sentence shows how to use 紧 to describe shoes that are too tight.Tatoeba #1783815 by sadhen, translation #18119 by CK
- 我的裤子太紧了。My pants are too tight.
- 他过得很拮据。He is living on a tight budget.
- 这个房间很狭窄。This room is very narrow.
- 这件衣服很紧。This piece of clothing is very tight.
- 裤子勒得太紧，很不舒服。Kùzi lēi de tài jǐn, hěn bù shūfu.The pants are too tight and uncomfortable.
Example conversation
Zihan and Zhiqiang are trying on clothes at a clothing store.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，这件外套是不是太紧了？Zhìqiáng, zhè jiàn wàitào shì bù shì tài jǐn le?Zhiqiang, is this jacket too tight?
- 志强 Zhiqiang确实有点紧，你试一下大一号的吧。Quèshí yǒudiǎn jǐn, nǐ shì yīxià dà yī hào de ba.It really is a bit tight, try one size larger.
- 梓涵 Zihan那件大的穿起来舒服多了。Nà jiàn dà de chuān qǐlái shūfu duō le.The large one is much more comfortable to wear.
- 志强 Zhiqiang没错，这样看起来才自然。Méi cuò, zhèyàng kàn qǐlái cái zìrán.Exactly, it looks more natural this way.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
